Light box assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention is a light box assembly which includes a box-like structure having interiorly mirrored walls. Multiple illuminating members are mounted on the walls within the box and interchangeable exterior wall panels are removably engaged with the box. Interior wall panels having cut-out portions are removably positioned within the box. The illuminating members are sequentially activated and deactivated and a constantly changing visual and color effect is thereby produced within the box itself, on the surface of the box and projected on surrounding walls and ceiling. Various effects are obtainable through the use of different interior and exterior wall panels.

[451 reh. 5, 1974 LIGHT BOX ASSEMBLY Primary ExaminerJ0seph F. PetersAttorney, Agent, or Firm-B. Edward Shlesinger, Jr. et

[22] Filed: May 18, 11972 ABSTRACT 211 App]. No.: 254,490

This invention is a light box assembly which includes a 240/10 R, 130 R,40/132 D box-like structure having interiorly mirrored walls.

Int. F21]! Muhipl inuminating members are mounted on the Field of 240/1010-1, walls within the box and interchangeable exterior wall 130 132 132D panels are removably engaged with the box. Interior wall panels havingcut-out portions are removably po- [5 References Cited sitioned withinthe box. The illuminating members are UNITED STATES PATENTS sequentiallyactivated and deactivated and a con- 4/1944 Apuzzo 240/10 R X stantlychanging visual and color effect is thereby pro- 10/1932 duced withinthe box itsel f, on the surface of the box Kanolt 3/1945 Hotchner..40/132 R and projected on surrounding walls and ceiling. Vari- 10/1971.240/10RX 40/132 R X Ge ne ous effects are obtainable through the use ofdifferent interior and exterior wall panels.

2,222,301 11/1940 Rappaport 1,671,071

5/1928 Gritt FOREIGN PATENTS OR A 18 Claims, 9 Drawing FiguresPPLICATIONS France..............................

LIGHT BOX ASSEMBLY OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of thisinvention to provide a light box assembly equipped with mirrors,sequentially activated and deactivated illuminating members andremovable and interchangeable wall panels, the assembly producingeverchanging animated light patterns and colors.

Another object is to provide a light box assembly of the kind describedwherein exterior and interior wall panels may be selectively employed toproduce a varietyof visual effects with a minimum number of parts.

A further object is 'to provide a light box assembly of the kind heredescribed wherein the exterior panels are interchangeable and comprisescreens, two-way glass, plexiglass, translucent glass or mirrors and theinterior walls comprise opaque panels of different colors having cut-outportions of geometric shape through which light from the sequentiallyoperated illuminating members pass, the illuminating members preferablybeing of different colors to further enhance the effect produced by theassembly.

A still further object is to provide a light box assembly which may beeconomically manufactured and readily assembled, the assembly lendingitself to use by itself, for incorporation in pieces of furniture, forornamental use as a display case for merchandise, as an advertisingdevice, etc.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description of thepresently preferred form of this invention taken in conjunction with theappended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof the light box assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the present invention, a portionof the front wall thereof being broken away to disclose details;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a corner section ofthe assembly of the present invennon;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1, showing the removabletop panel of the assembly partially removed;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the front panel of theassembly partially removed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an interior wall panel forming a part ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a second- /interior wallpanel employed in connection with the wall panel of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The light box assembly of the presentinvention preferably includes a box generally designated which is ofcube shape and includes four vertical corner posts 22, 24, 26 and 28.The lower terminals of posts 22, 24, 26 and 28 are joined by a series ofrails or frame members 30, 32, 34, and 36. The terminals of the rails orframe members are mitered for appearance and for facility in connectingthe frame members to each other and to the lower terminals of the cornerposts.

The upper end of box 20 is further provided with a series of connectingrail members or frames joining the upper extremities of corner posts 22,24, 26 and 28. Frame member 38 joins post 24 to 26, frame member 40joins post 26 and 28 andframe 42 joins post 28 to post 22. No framemember is provided between the upper terminals of posts 22 and 24.

Exterior side panels are indicated at 44 and 46, the lateral portionsthereof being fixedly embedded in corner posts 22, 24, 26 and 28. A backwall panel is designated 48, and the lateral extremities thereof areembedded in corner posts 26 and 28.

An interior back wall panel is indicated at 50 which is in spacedrelation to exterior panel 48, and the lateral extremities thereof areembedded in corner posts 26 and 28. The interior wall surface of panel50 is of a reflective material for purposes which will be hereinaftermore fully set out. A bottom wall panel is indicated at 52 which panelis preferably supported by the lower side rails as indicated in FIG. 4.of bottom panel 52 is also preferably of a reflective material, and isprovided with a plurality of spaced, parallel, transverse grooves 54,also shown in FIG. 4.

Interior side wall panels are indicated at 56 and 58, the lateralextremities of which are fixed in corner posts 22, 24, 26 and 28. Sidepanel 56 is provided with a series of spaced, parallel, vertical grooves59 which are in opposed relationship to corresponding grooves 60 in sidepanel 58. The interior faces of both side panels are of a reflectivematerial.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a series of light bulbs 61 are engaged withelectrical sockets 62 mounted in spaced relationship in panels 56, onelight bulb being preferably located within each section as defined bylongitudinal grooves 59 but in spaced vertical relationship to eachother. An electrical line 64 connects the sockets to a source ofelectrical energy. Side panel 58 is likewise provided with a pluralityof light bulbs 61 mounted in sockets 62 in opposed relationship to bulbs61 of panel 56, which bulbs are likewise connected to electrical line 64by feeder lines 64'. Back wall panel is also provided with a pluralityof light bulbs 66 mounted in sockets 68 and connected to electrical line64 by feeder lines 70.

Light bulbs 61, 61 and 66 are preferably of the blinker type wherebythey are sequentially activated and deactivated in order to produce aunique visual and color pattern.

In conjunction with the arrangement of lights, it is further an objectof this invention to provide a series of interior wall panels designated72, 74, 76 and 78 which may be of any desired color or colors, each ofwhich is provided with a cut-out portion 80, 82, 84 and 86. Panels 74,76, and 78 are held in spaced parallel relationship within the assemblyby virtue of the insertion of the lateral extremities thereof in opposedgrooves 59 and 60 in side panels 56 and 58. It will be noted from FIGS.3, 4, 8 and 9 that geometrical cut-out portions 80 and 82, 84 and 86 arepreferably of decreasing size from the front of the assembly to the backthereof in order to produce the desired visual effect. The cut-outportions may assume many various shapes for producing different colorpatterns.

It wil be further noted from FIG. 3 that interior wall panel 72 isremovably mounted in the box assembly by virtue of vertical grooves 88and 90 located in corner posts 22 and 24. Corner posts 22 and 24 areprovided with a second set of spaced opposed vertical grooves 92 and 94which are adapted to receive a removable front panel 96 which ispreferably of a translucent or transparent glass in order to observevisually the various effects produced by the flashing light bulbs,removable interior wall panels and the reflective surfaces within thebox assembly. However, when desired, an opaque or combination opaque andtranslucent panel may be employed.

In addition to the removable front panel, it is also within thecontemplation of the present invention to provide a removable top panelwhich is slideable in grooves 100 and 102 of upper side rails 38 and 42.Top panel 98 is also preferably of transparent or translucent glass inorder to either project the light patterns on the ceiling or in the caseof a translucent glass member, to produce a striping effect when theinterior wall panels are in place or a multi colored animated effectwhen the panels are removed. However, an opaque or a combination opaqueand translucent panel may be employed when desired.

In use of the assembly of the present invention, many variations in thelight patterns and colors are obtained by the blinking colored lights,the insertion and removal of the interior wall panels and replacement oftop and front panels, e.g., translucent, transparent, plexiglass ortwo-way glass panels.

An example of the visual effect obtained is illustrated in FIG. 2wherein the cut-out sections of the interior wall panels in conjunctionwith the blinking colored lights and the mirrors produce a depth effectas well as creating colorful and unique colored geometric patterns whichare constantly changing to provide an animated effect.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that many visual andcolor effects are obtainable by inserting and removing interior andexterior panels. One effect is the sunburst effect" wherein light isreflected and mixed with the colors of the interior wall panels in athree dimensional pattern of everchanging colors.

A second effect is the mystic light wherein light is projected aroundthe silhouette of the interior wall panels producing color mixtures on atranslucent front panel.

A third effect is the projector effect whereby silhouetted patterns onthe top and sides of the assembly project colored patterns on the walland ceiling of a room. An infinity effect is produced by use of a twowaymirror. Looking into the box through the two-way mirror, an infinitenumber of blinking lights is seen.

Plexiglass sheets employed as the top and front panels producegeometrical shapes of colored light on the surface of the box.

With this invention, therefore, the mirrors, blinking colored lights andthe removable panels, both exterior and interior, cooperate to produceeverchanging and animated color patterns which are estheticallyappealing and attractive.

The assembly of the present invention lends itself to multiple uses asan entertainment entity, an advertising entity, for medical purposes,etc. In these capacities, it may be used by itself, incorporated infurniture such as end tables, a coffee table or a stereo unit, as adisplay for merchandise, a package for Christmas lights, a Christmasdecoration and a gameboard. It further has a medical application as asleep or hypnosis inducer, as a mood establisher for soothing the ill,and as a meditation box.

While there has been herein shown and described the presently preferredforms of this invention, it is to be understood that such has been donefor purposes of illustration only, and that various changes may be madetherein within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A light box assembly including:

a. a box-like structure having a plurality of wall panels,

b. the interior surface of at least one of said wall panels being of areflective material,

0. at least one other of said wall panels being ofa light transmittingmaterial,

d. a plurality of illuminating lights mounted on at least one of saidwall panels, removable interior wall panels positioned within saidbox-like structure in spaced, parallel relationship to saidlighttransmitting material,

e. said interior wall panels having aligned cut-out portions throughwhich light is transmitted,

f. said illuminating lights being positioned between said interior wallpanels, and

g. means for activating said illuminating lights.

2. The light box assembly of claim 1, with the addition of:

a. means for sequentially activating and deactivating said illuminatinglights.

3. The light box assembly of claim 2, wherein:

a. said illuminating lights are of different colors.

4. The light box assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a. said light-transmitting panel is removable.

5. The light box assembly of claim 4, with the addition of:

a. a plurality of removable wall panels of at least partiallytranslucent and transparent material selectively employed as thelight-transmitting panel.

6. The light box assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a. a second wall panel is of a light-transmitting material.

7. The light box assembly of claim 6, wherein:

a. said second wall panel is removable.

8. The light box assembly of claim 7, with the addition of:

a. a plurality of wall panels of translucent and transparent materialselectively employed as the light transmitting second wall panel.

9. The light box assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a. said cut-out portions comprise geometric designs of progressivelyreduced size from the front to the back of the assembly.

10. The light box assembly of claim 1 wherein:

a. the interior surfaces of a plurality of said wall panels are of areflective material.

11. The light box assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a. illuminating lights are positioned on opposed wall panels.

12. A light box assembly including:

a. a box-like member having side, back, front, bottom and top wallpanels,

b. the interior of a plurality of said wall panels being of reflectivematerial,

c. a plurality of spaced illuminating lights of different colors mountedon the interior surfaces of said side panels,

d. said front wall panel being of a light transmitting material,

e. a plurality of interior wall panels removably inserted in saidbox-like structure in spaced, parallel relationship to each other and tosaid front wall panel,

f. Said illuminating lights being positioned between said removableinterior wall panels, and

g. means for sequentially activating and deactivating said illuminatinglights,

h. each of said interior wall panels having cut-out portions throughwhich the colors from said illuminating lights are transmitted, wherebydifferent colored animated light patterns are viewed through said frontwall panel.

13. The light box assembly of claim 12, wherein:

a. said front wall panel is removable.

14. The light box assembly of claim 13, with the addition of:

a. a plurality of at least partially translucent and transparent panelsselectively employed as said front wall panel.

15. The light box assembly of claim 12, wherein:

a. The interior surface of said back, bottom and side panels are of areflective material.

16. A light box assembly including:

a. a boxJike member having side, back, front, bottom and top wallpanels,

b. said top panel being removable,

c. the interior of a plurality of said wall panels being of a reflectivematerial,

d. a plurality of spaced illuminating lights of different colors mountedon the interior surfaces of said side panels,

e. said front wall panel being of a light-transmitting material,

f. means for sequentially activating and deactivating said illuminatinglights, and

g. a plurality of interior wall panels removably inserted in saidbox-like stucture in spaced, parallel 10 tion of:

a. a plurality of at least'partially transparent panels selectivelyemployed as said top panel.

18. A light box assembly including:

a. a box-like member having side, back, front, bottom and top wallpanels,

b. the interior of a plurality of said wall panels being of reflectivematerial,

c. a plurality of spaced illuminating lights of different colors mountedon the interior surfaces of said side panels,

d. said front wall panel being of a light-transmitting material,

e. means for sequentially activating and deactivating said illuminatinglights,

f. a plurality of interior wall panels removably inserted in saidbox-like structure in spaced, parallel relationship to each other and tosaid front wall panel,

g. said interior wall panels having cut-out portions through which thecolors from said illuminating lights are transmitted,

h. said interior wall panels being of different colors and said cut-outportions progressively decreasing in size from the front to the back ofthe assembly, whereby different colored animated light patterns areviewed through said front wall panel upon sequential activation anddeactivation of said illuminating lights.

1. A light box assembly including: a. a box-like structure having aplurality of wall panels, b. the interior surface of at least one ofsaid wall panels being of a reflective material, c. at least one otherof said wall panels being of a light transmitting material, d. aplurality of ilLuminating lights mounted on at least one of said wallpanels, removable interior wall panels positioned within said box-likestructure in spaced, parallel relationship to said light-transmittingmaterial, e. said interior wall panels having aligned cut-out portionsthrough which light is transmitted, f. said illuminating lights beingpositioned between said interior wall panels, and g. means foractivating said illuminating lights.
 2. The light box assembly of claim1, with the addition of: a. means for sequentially activating anddeactivating said illuminating lights.
 3. The light box assembly ofclaim 2, wherein: a. said illuminating lights are of different colors.4. The light box assembly of claim 1, wherein: a. saidlight-transmitting panel is removable.
 5. The light box assembly ofclaim 4, with the addition of: a. a plurality of removable wall panelsof at least partially translucent and transparent material selectivelyemployed as the light-transmitting panel.
 6. The light box assembly ofclaim 1, wherein: a. a second wall panel is of a light-transmittingmaterial.
 7. The light box assembly of claim 6, wherein: a. said secondwall panel is removable.
 8. The light box assembly of claim 7, with theaddition of: a. a plurality of wall panels of translucent andtransparent material selectively employed as the light transmittingsecond wall panel.
 9. The light box assembly of claim 1, wherein: a.said cut-out portions comprise geometric designs of progressivelyreduced size from the front to the back of the assembly.
 10. The lightbox assembly of claim 1 wherein: a. the interior surfaces of a pluralityof said wall panels are of a reflective material.
 11. The light boxassembly of claim 1, wherein: a. illuminating lights are positioned onopposed wall panels.
 12. A light box assembly including: a. a box-likemember having side, back, front, bottom and top wall panels, b. theinterior of a plurality of said wall panels being of reflectivematerial, c. a plurality of spaced illuminating lights of differentcolors mounted on the interior surfaces of said side panels, d. saidfront wall panel being of a light transmitting material, e. a pluralityof interior wall panels removably inserted in said box-like structure inspaced, parallel relationship to each other and to said front wallpanel, f. Said illuminating lights being positioned between saidremovable interior wall panels, and g. means for sequentially activatingand deactivating said illuminating lights, h. each of said interior wallpanels having cut-out portions through which the colors from saidilluminating lights are transmitted, whereby different colored animatedlight patterns are viewed through said front wall panel.
 13. The lightbox assembly of claim 12, wherein: a. said front wall panel isremovable.
 14. The light box assembly of claim 13, with the addition of:a. a plurality of at least partially translucent and transparent panelsselectively employed as said front wall panel.
 15. The light boxassembly of claim 12, wherein: a. The interior surface of said back,bottom and side panels are of a reflective material.
 16. A light boxassembly including: a. a box-like member having side, back, front,bottom and top wall panels, b. said top panel being removable, c. theinterior of a plurality of said wall panels being of a reflectivematerial, d. a plurality of spaced illuminating lights of differentcolors mounted on the interior surfaces of said side panels, e. saidfront wall panel being of a light-transmitting material, f. means forsequentially activating and deactivating said illuminating lights, andg. a plurality of interior wall panels removably inserted in saidbox-like stucture in spaced, parallel relationship to each other and tosaid front wall panel, h. each of said interior wall panelS havingcut-out portions through which the colors from said illuminating lightsare transmitted, whereby different colored animated light patterns areviewed through said front wall panel upon sequential activation anddeactivation of said illuminating lights.
 17. The light box assembly ofclaim 16, with the addition of: a. a plurality of at least partiallytransparent panels selectively employed as said top panel.
 18. A lightbox assembly including: a. a box-like member having side, back, front,bottom and top wall panels, b. the interior of a plurality of said wallpanels being of reflective material, c. a plurality of spacedilluminating lights of different colors mounted on the interior surfacesof said side panels, d. said front wall panel being of alight-transmitting material, e. means for sequentially activating anddeactivating said illuminating lights, f. a plurality of interior wallpanels removably inserted in said box-like structure in spaced, parallelrelationship to each other and to said front wall panel, g. saidinterior wall panels having cut-out portions through which the colorsfrom said illuminating lights are transmitted, h. said interior wallpanels being of different colors and said cut-out portions progressivelydecreasing in size from the front to the back of the assembly, wherebydifferent colored animated light patterns are viewed through said frontwall panel upon sequential activation and deactivation of saidilluminating lights.